 | The market town of Henley-on-Thames is located on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, 10 miles from Reading and Maidenhead, and between the counties of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Henley-on-Thames sits on one of the most scenic parts of the River Thames and is a beautiful place to visit. Here you will find the five-arched Henley Bridge, built in 1786. It joins the town to the village of Remenham: the venue of the famous Henley Royal Regatta. The Regatta runs over four days in late June/early July and is a true spectacle, enjoyed by huge crowds. The Regatta became 'Royal' in 1851: this was the year that Prince Albert became its patron. The Regatta ends with a grand fireworks finale which kicks off the Henley Festival just a week later.
Henley is a well known world rowing centre. Other regattas and rowing races are staged here. These include: the Henley Women's Regatta; the Henley Boat Races between Oxford and Cambridge University; the Henley Veteran Regatta; the Upper Thames Small Boats Head; the Henley Sculling Head, and the Henley Small Boats Head.
There are several local rowing clubs based here, including the Upper Thames Rowing Club; Henley Rowing Club; Leander Club, and the Phyllis Court Rowing Club.
Theres lots to see and do in Henley-on-Thames as this is a key tourist spot. Make sure you call in at some of the many antique and curiosity shops here, and the River and Rowing Museum, which has won awards, is well worth a visit. Established in 1998, the museum was opened by the Queen. It was designed by David Chipperfield the architect and displays information about the River Thames, rowing, and the town of Henley-on-Thames.
Other points of interest in Henley-on-Thames include Saint Mary's Church: to be found opposite Henley Bridge and featuring a 16th Century church tower. A well known private building is the red brick structure of Fawley Court, designed by Christopher Wren.
Many residents of Henley-on-Thames commute to London as there are excellent transport links to the capital city.
Lots of well known people have links with the town, including the singer Dusty Springfield. Dusty has a gravesite and a marker in the grounds of a Henley church and her ashes are scattered in Henley and Ireland. Each year Dusty Springfield fans come to Henley to mark what is known as 'Dusty Day': this is the closest Sunday to her birthday of April 16th.
Another famous name connected to the town is that of George Harrison: he lived in Henley-on-Thames at a mansion known as Friar Park, from the 1970s until he died in 2001. |
